Peter C., the suspect accused of plotting a terrorist attack at this year's Miss Belgium competition, was granted conditional release on Tuesday by Bruges' council chamber. He has been released under the condition that he immediately be interned, Belga News Agency reports.
The suspect's lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge vehemently argued against his client's charges, due to Peter C.'s history of mental disorders. He was first arrested after being found in possession of two firearms and a bulletproof vest while attending the final of the Miss Belgium competition in February.
He was subsequently charged with attempted terrorist murder after investigators discovered messages the suspect sent to his girlfriend about carrying out a potential attack.
However, his lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge vehemently denies these accusations, due to his client's mental issues as well as a recent dementia diagnosis he received from a forensic psychiatrist in prison.
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According to Van Steenbrugge, this would explain his client's paranoia which led him to suspect that "something could happen to him through his professional activity," an argument which the council chamber in Bruges agreed with.
The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office is still expected to appeal the decision, which may result in the suspect being detained for two weeks.
